PREVIEW: WLD MB INVITATIONAL PRESENTED BY COBRA PUMA GOLF

The MB Invitational presented by Cobra Puma Golf returns on Monday, December 8, bringing World Long Drive’s best athletes to The Huntington Club for a full day of competition, celebrity level hospitality, and a mission that hits far beyond the grid. Now in its 13th year under the Driving Out Cancer umbrella, the MB Invitational has become one of the most meaningful stops on the long drive calendar.

A LONG DRIVE COMPETITION WITH PURPOSE

Driving Out Cancer began in 2012 and has grown into a standalone nonprofit dedicated to funding lifesaving research. This year’s MB Invitational continues that charge, with proceeds supporting UCI Anti Cancer research programs focused on lung cancer. Additional funds will also benefit the City of Hope and the RISE Foundation in the fight against osteosarcoma. The result is an event where every swing matters, not just for the title, but for families and patients counting on the next breakthrough.

World Long Drive is central to the experience. The MB Invitational consistently brings in top WLD talent. The eight finalists will advance to a televised shootout scheduled to air on Golf Channel in early 2026, extending the impact and the spotlight well beyond December.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

8:00 am Registration Opens

9:00 am Pro-Am Starts - shotgun start in a scramble format

2:00 pm Pro-Am Ends, Hole 1 opens to fans for the World Long Drive Final 8 Match Play.

3:00 pm Televised Event, WLD MB Invitational Match Play.

COMPETITION FORMAT 

The Invitational uses a two phase structure.

PHASE 1 - QUALIFYING Qualifying is points based and happens on course during the pro-am. Four holes serve as qualifying stages: holes 1, 12, 16, and 18. On each hole, every long drive professional gets four balls from the black tees, with only the longest in bounds drive counting. Distances are measured from tee line to final resting point, including roll. 

Points are awarded per hole based on finish, from 200 points for first, down to 25 points for eighth. Total points over all four holes determine the top eight who advance. Any tie for the final advancing spots triggers a playoff on hole 1, six balls in a 2:30 set. Seeding ties are broken by official World Rankings.

PHASE 2- MATCH PLAYThe top eight enter a single elimination bracket. Quarterfinal matchups follow standard seeding: 1 versus 8, 4 versus 5, 3 versus 6, and 2 versus 7. Each round is six balls total, alternate shot, with the higher seed choosing who goes first. Winners advance through semifinals to a head to head final, where the champion is crowned.

THE FIELD 

The MB Invitational brings together a deep roster of World Long Drive pros, including:

ZACK HOLTON

SCOTTIE PEARMAN

COLTON CASTO

SEAN JOHNSON

JUSTIN JAMES

RONI SHIN

CODY BILLINGHURST

BOBBY RAY

TJ BAKER

BRANDON FLYNN

CONNOR STERRITT

REID RUSSELL

BRYCE VERPLANK

ISAIAH JOYNER

WILL HOGUE

DEVON FITZGERALD

HUNTER NOELL

JACK ABBOTT

MATTHEW KINDOU

PATRICK RABER

TREVOR SCOTT

JOSH CASSADAY

GLENN WILSON

KYLE RICHTER

SPENCER MCDANIEL

BROADCAST INFORMATION

The finals will air on Golf Channel in 2026. 

To learn more or donate to Driving Out Cancer

CLICK HERE